dark recesses of the woodlands, where a hollow limb is selected 

 for the nest or a desertedl hawk's or crow's nest pre-empted. 

 Some species, however, prefer rock crevices and sometimes 

 church steeples or even dark lofts of barns or out-buildings. 



The calls of these birds are in great measure accountable 

 for the superstitious fear with which they are often regarded. 

 They vary from a long drawn-out hoot or tremulous wail to a 

 blood-Ctirdling shriek, which, when heard from the depths 

 of the forest, carries a hair-raising suggestion of some awful 

 tragedy being enacted therein. 



The four owls commonly found about Charleston are all 

 Permanent Residents. Of these, the Barn Owl, Sfrix prat- 

 incola BoNAP.,is the only one abundant within the city limits 

 and our church steeples are its favorite dwelling-place. These 

 are most peculiar looking birds about the color of "scorched 

 linen" and they are known in Florida as the "Monkey-faced 

 Owls" because of the odd, triangular facial disk, which with 

 the half-closed eyes, closely resembles that of a monkey. 



These birds are unfamiliar neighbors, since they are almost 

 never seen in the day-time. They are most beneficial friends 

 however, for they rarely diescend upon our poultry-yards but 

 are exceedingly fond of rats and mice. In the cotton fields 

 they are an invaluable ally, for they feed extensively upon the 

 cotton rat. 



So good a reputation, however, can scarcely be given to the 

 Great Horned Owl, Biiho virginiamis (Gmy,!..) , which chooses 

 its home in the woodlands. This fierce creature, second to 

 but one in size, is the lord high executioner of all its tribe. 

 Unfortunately it is extremely fondi of young turkeys and 

 guinea-fowls. Only an appetite for rabbits and rats redeems 

 its reputation in those parts of the country where these mam- 

 mals are a pest. 



If the planters on some of our sea islands would take 

 measures to safeguard their poultry at night and leave this 



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